April 15 is National Sign Language day. It is a day to celebrate the beautiful, visual language.
Here are 6 facts about specifically American Sign Language (ASL).
ASL is not a "signed version of English."
It is is own unique language with its own structure, grammar, and syntax that is different than English.
One interesting fact about the language is classifiers. What are classifiers? They are a way to express thoughts in a 3D space. So, for example, with a classifier, I can show that something is a little bit away or a very long way away using the same sign but just differing the classifier and how it's shown.
ASL is not a universal sign language.
Each country has their own sign language. There is an international sign language that is used in politics, but the vast majority has their language within their country.
There are commonalities within a language for terrorities of another country. For example, Auslan is very similar to British Sign Language, and can be understood by the other, but they do have differences.
ASL has regional differences.
Vocabulary is often dependent on the region you are from. I am from the south, so some of my signs will differ from the west coast, or from the north.
It is also important to note that where your ASL teacher was from can be how you learn different regional signs.
For example, while I am from the south, I do not sign pineapple with the letter F twisting back and forth to the right of my eye. I do the letter P to the right of my mouth (where apple is normally signed). This is a more "English" version and northern. That is how I learned.
Another is pickle. I learned the letter P on the side of the nose, twisting. My area typically uses the letter P on the side of the chin, twisting (which is more English). So if you have to ask for clarity on a sign, do! But don't say that they are signing it incorrectly; it could just be their region!
ASL uses a dominant hand.
Sign language uses a dominant hand. This does not mean you must only use your right hand; but rather, it is dependent on which is your dominant hand. The biggest thing to remember is to be consistent on which is your dominant hand.
Interestingly, ASL is can also be accommodating to where two-handed signs can be signed with one hand. This way, if someone has an injury, or is holding a child, etc. they can still carry on a full conversation with in sign language.
Non-manual markers are crucial in ASL.
Non-manual markers are everything from facial expressions, shoulder shrugs, mouth morphemes to head tilts, head shakes and nods. These often influence the meaning of your signs.
For facial expressions, some ways are eyebrows raised or lowered, mouth position, eyes widening or narrowing that illustrate ASL grammar.
For example, if you wanted to say something was not just interesting but "very interesting," you would exaggerate your facial expression to indicate that it was "very interesting."
Another example is the sign "nice". It can also mean: kind or to clean depending not only on the movement but also the facial expression.
Some English cannot be translated into ASL.
There are just some words that are not translated into ASL due to grammatical structure from a to the to -ing endings. Also, while some signs are "gendered", there are not pronouns he or she but rather, it's all they.
*Gendered signs: traditionally, signs that are for females were around the chin area and for males were around the head area. For example, aunt signed with the letter a circular motion beside the chin. For uncle, the letter u circling beside the temple.
Additionally, there are puns and idioms that don't translate well.
For example, an English idiom is "raining cats and dogs." That is not translated into ASL. They would say RAIN but you would do the sign several times with a intense facial expression. But an ASL idiom may be "FISH-SWALLOW" for gullible in English. A pretty much shared idiom but with different phrases is TRAIN-GO-SORRY (ASL) and "Missed the boat" (English).
One of my favorite puns in ASL is "pasturized milk". You sign MILK while physically moving the sign "past your eyes".
So, how can you learn ASL?
I'm so glad you want to learn ASL.
The best way is to learn through qualified Deaf teachers. I would suggest seeing if there are any ASL classes taught locally near you.
I have a list that you can view on my Resource page for how you can find ASL teachers online - both free and paid classes, as well as ASL apps and more! Check it out.
Dictionaries: Handspeak, Signing Savvy, Sign ASL.
Questions? Ask below and I'll do my best to answer them!
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